resign

American  

[ri-zahyn] / rɪˈzaɪn /

verb (used without object)

1. to give up an office or position, often formally (often followed byfrom ).

   to resign from the presidency.

   Synonyms:

   withdraw

2. to submit; yield.

   to resign before the inevitable.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give up (an office, position, etc.), often formally.

   Synonyms:

   leave, quit, renounce, abdicate

2. to relinquish (a right, claim, agreement, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   cede, surrender, give up, forgo

3. to give or sign over, as to the control or care of another.

   She resigned her child to an adoption agency.

4. to submit (oneself, one's mind, etc.) without resistance.

resign British  

/ rɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. to give up tenure of (a job, office, etc)

2. (tr) to reconcile (oneself) to; yield

   to resign oneself to death

3. (tr) to give up (a right, claim, etc); relinquish

   he resigned his claim to the throne

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Usage

What does resign mean? Resign most commonly means to give up one’s job or position.When used this way, resign can be used without an object, as in He resigned yesterday, or with one, as in She is expected to resign her position. In its general sense, resign means to yield or submit, as in When he knew he couldn’t possibly win the match, he decided to resign. Example: They say he resigned on his own, but I think he was forced out.

Other Word Forms

• resigner noun

Etymology

Origin of resign

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English resignen, from Middle French resigner, from Latin resignāre “to open, release, cancel,” literally, “to seal back,” from re- re- + signāre “to mark, seal” ( sign )

Example Sentences

He was the first in almost six centuries to become pope after his predecessor resigned.

From The Wall Street Journal

Strickland was pressured to resign this year and Vescovi was fired over their actions in the case.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's not only for Tunbridge Wells, it's for the wider parts of Kent as well," added the chief executive, who has faced calls to resign over the supply issues.

From BBC

The only alternatives would be for Lopez to resign, for voters to remove him through a costly recall election, or through the passage of a state law expanding on violations that trigger removal.

From Los Angeles Times

She resigned in October, saying that she took full responsibility for the leak.

From BBC